Lead

Lead coins were not usually minted by a town because in reality they were considered worthless. Yet we do find some that some Judean coins of Alexander Jannaeus were made out of lead. The theory at the moment is that these coins were issued as “tokens” to be given to the poor so that they could buy food and other necessary items. It may have been his way to win over the support of the general population.

When these type coins were first found they were thought to only have an image on one side. But as more were discovered it was clear that images and/or inscriptions were to be found on both sides. Because they were made out of lead they do not hold their images/inscriptions well over time and all the ones I have seen are always in very poor condition.

This particular coin shown here shows a design on both sides of the coins. This particular coin has a design style that is the only one of its type known.